Spiritual Light Center

06/18/2026

🔔🔔 This Sunday, June 21, 2026, at 11am, Bishka Ravenel will be speaking about: “The Life of the Spirit: an Uplifting Message.”

✨Our Upcoming Speakers are....
✨June 28 - Dale Allen Hoffman
✨July 5 - Tom Tyre
✨July 12 - Rev. Dr. Katherine R. B. Greysen
✨July 19 - Donna Corso

+++Join "Tea & Talk" for beverages and meaningful conversation as we explore spiritual topics, reflect together, and encourage one another in growth and fellowship. There’s no wrong answer -- just one's own experience. The topic next week on June 18 will be spontaneously drawn at the meeting. Our collective hope is that Tea & Talk becomes a place where we can learn from one another, reflect deeply, and grow together. We meet every Thursday from 3:00 - 5:00 PM in the Fellowship Hall. You may bring your favorite beverage and shareable snacks.

+++We are collecting donations for the upcoming yard sale June 26, 27, & 28. Please drop off gently used items Sunday when we have services or by appointment. Thank you!

+++Please bring nonperishable food items to SLC. There is a box for them in the vestibule. This food will be distributed to families in need within our community. Be aware food items cannot be distributed if they are over one year past the expiration date. Thank you!

+++Our Board of Trustees meet the 2nd Sunday of each month following the Sunday Service. Everyone is welcome to attend, but only Board members may vote.

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~ “Raise your words, not your voice. It is rain that grows flowers, not thunder.”
— Jalaluddin Rumi

~ “God is closer to me than I am to myself.” — Saint Augustine

06/13/2026

06/10/2026

🔔🔔 This Sunday, June 14, 2026, at 11 am, Kim May will be speaking about:
“Balancing ,the Patriarch and Matriarch
Within Us All.”

✨Our Upcoming Speakers are....
✨June 21 - Alexander & Bishka Ravenel
✨June 28 - Dale Allen Hoffman
✨July 5 - Tom Tyre
✨July 12 - Rev. Dr. Katherine R. B. Greysen

+++Join "Tea & Talk" for beverages and meaningful conversation as we explore spiritual topics, reflect together, and encourage one another in growth and fellowship. There’s no wrong answer -- just one's own experience. The topic for Thursday, June 11, is "Do you feel life has unfolded the way it was meant to?" Our collective hope is that Tea & Talk becomes a place where we can learn from one another, reflect deeply, and grow together. We meet every Thursday from 3:00 - 5:00 PM in the Fellowship Hall. You may bring your favorite beverage and shareable snacks.

+++We are collecting donations for the upcoming yard sale June 26, 27, & 28. Please drop off gently used items Sunday when we have services or by appointment. Thank you!

+++Please bring nonperishable food items to SLC. There is a box for them in the vestibule. This food will be distributed to families in need within our community. Be aware food items cannot be distributed if they are over one year past the expiration date. Thank you!

+++Our Board of Trustees meet the 2nd Sunday of each month following the Sunday Service. Everyone is welcome to attend, but only Board members may vote.

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~ “Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.” — Martin Luther King Jr.

~ “A spiritually established life is not an easy task. But a materially satisfied life is an impossible task.” — Sri Chinmoy

06/02/2026

🔔🔔 This Sunday, June 2, 2026, at 11am, we will welcome Mariela Andersen; Author & international teacher for deaf and unhoused children.
She will be speaking about:
“Home and Identity: Finding Home Within Yourself.”

✨Our Upcoming Speakers are....
✨June 14 - Kim May
✨June 21 - Alexander & Bishka Ravenel
✨June 28 - Dale Allen Hoffman
✨July 5 - Tom Tyre

+++Join "Tea & Talk" for beverages and meaningful conversation as we explore spiritual topics, reflect together, and encourage one another in growth and fellowship. There’s no wrong answer -- just one's own experience. The topic for Thursday, June 4 is "What does inner peace actually feel like to you?" Our collective hope is that Tea & Talk becomes a place where we can learn from one another, reflect deeply, and grow together. We meet every Thursday from 3:00 - 5:00 PM in the Fellowship Hall. You may bring your favorite beverage and shareable snacks.

+++We are collecting donations for the upcoming yard sale June 26, 27, & 28. Please drop off gently used items Sunday when we have services or by appointment. Thank you!

+++Please bring nonperishable food items to SLC. There is a box for them in the vestibule. This food will be distributed to families in need within our community. Be aware food items cannot be distributed if they are over one year past the expiration date. Thank you!

+++Our Board of Trustees meet the 2nd Sunday of each month following the Sunday Service. Everyone is welcome to attend, but only Board members may vote.

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~ “If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales.” — Albert Einstein

~ “Children must be taught how to think, not what to think.” — Margaret Mead

~ “The real magic wand is the child’s own mind.” — Jose Ortega y Gasset

05/26/2026

🔔🔔 This Sunday, May 31, 2026, at 11am, Paul Sahayda Ghosthorse,
Renowned Lakota Ceremonial Leader & Cellist will be speaking about:
“Wolakota Ways of Purification”

✨Our Upcoming Speakers are....

✨June 7 - Mariela Andersen
✨June 14 - Kim May
✨June 21 - Alexander & Bishka Ravenel
⚡️June 28 - Dale Allen Hoffman

+++Join "Tea & Talk" for beverages and meaningful conversation as we explore spiritual topics, reflect together, and encourage one another in growth and fellowship. There’s no wrong answer -- just one's own experience.
The topic for Thursday, May 28 is:

"Why do you think you are here?"

Our collective hope is that Tea & Talk becomes a place where we can learn from one another, reflect deeply, and grow together. We meet every Thursday from 3:00 - 5:00 PM in the Fellowship Hall. You may bring your favorite beverage and shareable snacks.

+++We are collecting donations for the upcoming yard sale June 26, 27, & 28. Please drop off gently used items Sunday when we have services or by appointment. Thank you!

+++Please bring nonperishable food items to SLC. There is a box for them in the vestibule. This food will be distributed to families in need within our community. Be aware food items cannot be distributed if they are over one year past the expiration date. Thank you!

+++Our Board of Trustees meet the 2nd Sunday of each month following the Sunday Service. Everyone is welcome to attend, but only Board members may vote.

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+++Treat the earth well. It was not given to you by your parents. It was loaned to you by your children. - Native American Proverb

+++When the Lakota leader Sitting Bull was asked by a white reporter why his people loved and respected him, Sitting Bull replied by asking if it was not true that among white people a man is respected because he has many horses, many houses? When the reporter replied that was indeed true, Sitting Bull then said that his people respected him because he kept nothing for himself.
- Joseph Bruchac

05/20/2026

🔔🔔 This Sunday, May 24, 2026, at 11 am, Rev. Dr. Katherine R. B. Greysen will be speaking about: “When We Try Too Hard.”

✨Our Upcoming Speakers are....
✨May 31 - Paul Ghosthorse
✨June 7 - Mariela Andersen
✨June 14 - Kim May
✨June 21 - Alexander & Bishka Ravenel

🪷+++Join "Tea & Talk" for beverages and meaningful conversation as we explore spiritual topics, reflect together, and encourage one another in growth and fellowship. There’s no wrong answer -- just one's own experience. The topic for Thursday, May 21 is "What Part of Yourself is Hardest to Accept and Why?" Our collective hope is that Tea & Talk becomes a place where we can learn from one another, reflect deeply, and grow together. We meet every Thursday from 3:00 - 5:00 PM in the Fellowship Hall. You may bring your favorite beverage and shareable snacks.

🪷+++We are collecting donations for the upcoming yard sale June 26, 27, & 28. Please drop off gently used items Sunday when we have services or by appointment. Thank you!

🪷+++Please bring nonperishable food items to SLC. There is a box for them in the vestibule. This food will be distributed to families in need within our community. Be aware food items cannot be distributed if they are over one year past the expiration date. Thank you!

+++Our Board of Trustees meet the 2nd Sunday of each month following the Sunday Service. Everyone is welcome to attend, but only Board members may vote.

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+++Realization is not acquisition of anything new, nor is it a new faculty. It is only removal of all camouflage.
- Ramana Maharshi

05/15/2026

🔔🔔 This Sunday, May 17, 2026, at 11 am, Tom Wright will be speaking about:
“What Do You Want?”

✨Our Upcoming Speakers are....
✨May 24 - Rev. Dr. Katherine R. B. Greysen
✨May 31 - Paul Ghosthorse
✨June 7 - Mariela Andersen
✨June 14 - Kim May

+++Join "Tea & Talk" for beverages and meaningful conversation as we explore spiritual topics, reflect together, and encourage one another in growth and fellowship. Our topic for Thursday May 14 is "What life experience changed you the most?" There’s no wrong answer -- just one's own experience.
Our collective hope is that Tea & Talk becomes a place where we can learn from one another, reflect deeply, and grow together. We meet every Thursday from 3:00 - 5:00 PM in the Fellowship Hall. You may bring your favorite beverage and shareable snacks.

+++We are collecting donations for the upcoming yard sale June 26, 27, & 28. Please drop off gently used items Sunday when we have services or by appointment. Thank you!

+++Please bring nonperishable food items to SLC. There is a box for them in the vestibule. This food will be distributed to families in need within our community. Be aware food items cannot be distributed if they are over one year past the expiration date. Thank you!

+++Our Board of Trustees meet the 2nd Sunday of each month following the Sunday Service. Everyone is welcome to attend, but only Board members may vote.

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+++Be yourself; everyone else is already taken. – Oscar Wilde

+++The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it but that it is too low and we reach it. – Michel Angelo

05/06/2026

🔔🔔 This Sunday, May 10, 2026, at 11am, Rev. Barbara Jefferys will be speaking about: “Creating our Future”

✨Our Upcoming Speakers are....
✨May 17 - To Be Announced
✨May 24 - Rev. Dr. Katherine R. B. Greysen
✨May 31 - Paul Ghosthorse
✨June 7 - Mariela Andersen

+++Renowned Cherokee story teller Nancy Pheasant will be sharing a selection of fascinating Cherokee stories at First United Methodist Church on May 14 at 6:30 pm. A reception will be held afterward including punch and finger desserts.

+++Join "Tea & Talk" for beverages and meaningful conversation as we explore spiritual topics, reflect together, and encourage one another in growth and fellowship. Our first topic (the group will choose later topics) is "Finding Happiness Now." There’s no wrong answer -- just one's own experience. Our collective hope is that Tea & Talk becomes a place where we can learn from one another, reflect deeply, and grow together. The first meeting of Tea & Talk is May 7th (Thursday) from 3:00 - 5:00 PM in the Fellowship Hall. Later meetings will be every Thursday (same times). You may bring your favorite beverage and shareable snacks.

+++We are collecting donations for the upcoming yard sale June 26, 27, & 28. Please drop off gently used items Sunday when we have services or by appointment. Thank you!

+++Please bring nonperishable food items to SLC. There is a box for them in the vestibule. This food will be distributed to families in need within our community. Be aware food items cannot be distributed if they are over one year past the expiration date. Thank you!

+++Our Board of Trustees meet the 2nd Sunday of each month following the Sunday Service. Everyone is welcome to attend, but only Board members may vote.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

+++The Taoists have a famous teaching about an empty boat that keeps ramming into you. While you probably wouldn’t be angry at an empty boat, you might well become quite angry if someone was actually inside that boat intentionally causing it to ram into you.
The point of the story is that we have all suffered at the hands of those who mindlessly hurt us, such as parents who didn’t raise you with love and kindness, other kids who teased and bullied you when you were a child, the driver who aggressively tailgated you or refused let you pass. Or maybe the person who snapped thoughtlessly at you for no apparent reason. All of these are in fact like empty, rudderless boats. Those who bumped into you were the boats that were propelled by their own unexamined, unhealed wounds, therefore they were not focusing on who they were hurting. They just crashed mindlessly into whatever was in front of them.
Just as an empty boat that rams into us isn’t targeting us personally, so too people who act unkindly are driven along by the unconscious force of their own past wounds and pain. Until we realize this, we will remain prisoners of our own grievances, and we will see ourselves as a victim who deserve to be angry and preoccupied with resentment. All of this preoccupation upon the empty boats that have rammed us keeps us from being open to the more powerful and beautiful currents within our life that are always flowing through the present moment to bless us.

04/29/2026

🔔🔔 This Sunday, May 3, 2026, at 11 am, Rev. Tom Tyre will be speaking about:
“Let Your Little Light Shine:
the Nature of Consciousness”

✨Our Upcoming Speakers are....

✨May 10 - Rev. Barbara Jefferys
✨May 17 - Rev. Dr. Eileen Douglas
✨May 24 - Rev. Dr. Katherine R. B. Greysen
✨May 31 - Paul Ghosthorse

+++Renowned Cherokee story teller Nancy Pheasant will be sharing a selection of fascinating Cherokee stories at First United Methodist Church on May 14 at 6:30 pm. A reception will be held afterward including punch and finger desserts.

+++Join "Tea & Talk" for beverages and meaningful conversation as we explore spiritual topics, reflect together, and encourage one another in growth and fellowship.

Our first topic (the group will choose later topics) is "Finding Happiness Now." There’s no wrong answer -- just one's own experience. Our collective hope is that Tea & Talk becomes a place where we can learn from one another, reflect deeply, and grow together.

The first meeting of Tea & Talk is May 7th (Thursday) from 3:00 - 5:00 PM. Later meetings will be on every Thursday (same times).
You may bring your favorite beverage and shareable snacks.

+++We are collecting donations for the upcoming yard sale June 26, 27, & 28. Please drop off gently used items Sunday when we have services or by appointment. Thank you!

+++Please bring nonperishable food items to SLC. There is a box for them in the vestibule. This food will be distributed to families in need within our community. Be aware food items cannot be distributed if they are over one year past the expiration date. Thank you!

+++Our Board of Trustees meet the 2nd Sunday of each month following the Sunday Service. Everyone is welcome to attend, but only Board members may vote.

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“Reality is created by the mind. We can change our reality by changing our mind.” — Plato

“The truth does not change according to
our ability to stomach it.” — Flannery O’Connor

04/22/2026

🔔🔔 This Sunday, April 26, 2026, at 11 am, DeBorah O'Giste will be speaking about:
“Your Frequency Will Effect Our Future”

✨Our Upcoming Speakers are....

✨May 3 - Rev. Tom Tyre
✨May 10 - Rev. Barbara Jefferys
✨May 17 - Rev. Dr. Eileen Douglas
✨May 24 - Rev. Dr. Katherine R. B. Greysen

☕️🫖 Join "Tea & Talk" for beverages and meaningful conversation as we explore spiritual topics, reflect together, and encourage one another in growth and fellowship.
Our first topic (the group will choose later topics) is "Finding Happiness Now."
There’s no wrong answer -- just one's own experience. Our collective hope
is that Tea & Talk becomes a place where we can learn from one another,
reflect deeply, and grow together.
The first meeting of Tea & Talk is May 7th (Thursday) from 3:00 - 5:00 PM. Later meetings will be on every Thursday (same times). You may bring your favorite beverage and shareable snacks.

+++We are collecting donations for the upcoming yard sale June 26, 27, & 28. Please drop off gently used items Sunday when we have services or by appointment. Thank you!

+++Please bring nonperishable food items to SLC. There is a box for them
in the vestibule. This food will be distributed to families in need within
our community. Be aware food items cannot be distributed if they are over one year past the expiration date. Thank you!

+++Our Board of Trustees meet the 2nd Sunday of each month following the
Sunday Service. Everyone is welcome to attend, but only Board members may vote.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

“At any moment, you have a choice, that either leads you closer to your spirit or further away from it.”
— Thich Nhat Hanh

“I choose gentleness… Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice may it be only in praise. If I clench my fist, may it be only in prayer. If I make a demand, may it be only of myself.”
— Max Lucado